STATE ED BOARD AGAINST SECOND VET SCHOOL

  

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has once-again restated its position that the state does not need a second veterinary college -- particularly with a focus on small animals -- outside of the Texas A&M System.

In a draft report, which will be presented and put up for a vote at its meeting today, board officials found that the creation of a second veterinary institution in the state would be unnecessarily costly at this time.

The one area in which the report supported expansion was in training for students who could care for large, food-producing animals in the state.

Texas Tech announced plans for a new veterinary school to be housed at its Amarillo campus in December.

In order to open the school, Tech will need appropriations from the Texas Legislature and approval of academic programs from the coordinating board. That approval isn't on today's agenda.

In January, the A&M System announced plans to expand its veterinary program to more rural areas of the state through partnerships with West Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Tarleton State University.